05x35 - Bud Has a Problem

[bunniefuu]

(anticipatory brass music)

- [Narrator] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt,

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin,

in Father Knows Best.

- What's this? A notice ofunsatisfactory work in physics?

Why, I thought you were good in physics!

You did fine in it last semester.

- Yeah, but I didn't have Graham for a teacher then.

- Oh, now don't blame the teacher.

You were doing alright under Graham

at the beginning of this semester.

- Well, he didn't know me well enough then

to start hating me. (audience giggles)

- Hating you? (chuckles)

That's a good one.

My guess is, you've been so busy

with senior activities and girls, (audience chuckles)

you just haven't been studying.

- Oh no.

No, he just has it in for me.

He never calls on me when I raise my hand

to answer a question.

Ah, but if he thinks I don't know something,

then he calls on me every time. (audience laughs)

- It just seems that way to you.

- No, honest!

And when we hand in assignments,

he marks things off my papers that he

completely ignores on the other guys.

And I can prove that.

- I doubt this, Bud.

But if it's true, we better look into it.

You can't take a chanceon flunking physics!

- You're not kiddin'.

Well it'd keep me fromgraduating this spring,

and it'd keep me out of college, too.

This one measly, prejudiced teacher

is ruining my whole career!

- Who are we barbecuingnow? (audience laughs)

- Oh, that physics professor, Graham.

- Oh, you mean Douglas Graham? - Yeah.

- I met him at a party the other night, he's a doll.

- A doll? (audience laughs)

- We had a wonderful time talking to each other.

- Well brother, you can have him.

- I'll take him. (audience laughs)

Don't forget that article!

- Look, Bud, tomorrow you have a talk with him.

- Oh no, dad, it's no use.

He's just not a boy you can talk to.

- Have you tried?

- Well... sort of. (Jim chuckles humorlessly)

But all I can get is that fish stare.

I might as well be looking in the window

of a fish market or something. (audience laughs)

- Okay, then, I'll go to see him.

- Oh no, no, don't do that.

He'd just resentme all the more.

- Well, Bud, we can't just let this slide.

It's much too important.

- Well... I'm...

What can I do, I'm helpless.

- No you're not.

Now you go to him, tell him what this course means to you.

Find out where you stand, and what can be done about it.

And if you don't do it, I'm going to.

(dismayed music)

- Mister Graham, I just can't seem to work this problem.

- Claude, if you fellaswould read the material

before you try to work the problems,

you would know what you're doing.

So, read this...

this section here on nuclear energy, then

rework the problems, okay?

- Okay, Mister Graham.

- Yes, Bud?

- I'd uh, I'd like to talk to you, sir.

- I suppose it's about the notice of

unsatisfactory work I gave you yesterday.

- Yes, yes sir, it is.

- Well actually there'snot much to talk about.

You know the trouble as well as I do.

You have the ability,but you're not using it.

Now, talking to me is not going to help your grade.

What you need is work.

- Well, I, I know that, but uh--

- If I had as much at stake in this class as you do, Bud,

I'd buckle down and burnthat old midnight oil.

Now, isn't there anyone at home who can help you?

Your dad, or your sister.

- My sister?

- Yes, isn't she astudent at the college?

- Yeah, but she doesn't know anything about physics.

You know, actually, I've handed in every assignment.

- But your work has been so careless,

now, you can do so much better.

Uh, did I hear somewherethat she's engaged?

- That who's engaged?

- Your sister.

- Oh... no, she's not engaged.

Another thing I'd like to talk about is ah,

on the assignments I've handed in--

- Bud, you know as well as I do that

if you intend to go into engineering,

you just cannot get by with careless work.

I suppose that, ah,engagement rumor started

because she's going steady.

Isn't she?

- Who? (audience laughs quietly)

- Your sister. (audience laughs)

- No, no, not now.

(bell rings) You know,the other day in class--

- Well, I guess you'd better run,

you're gonna be latefor your next class now.

But remember this, Bud, the

big thing for you is to really bear down from here on out.

Okay? (dismayed, pensive music)

- You mean Mister Graham wouldn't even talk to you?

- Oh, he talked.

He just gave me those old cliches,

you know, like bearing down and burning midnight oil.

Never did get to the questions I wanted to ask.

- Did you try to ask them?

- Sure, but he just changed the subject.

He got so desperate to change the subject,

he even started asking me stupidquestions about my sister.

(audience laughs) How desperate can you get?

- You mean, about Betty?

- Yeah. He suggested she help me.

(phone rings) She who knows nothing about nothing.

- [Betty] I'll get it!

- [Bud] So anyway, I wound up nowhere.

- Hello?

No, this is she.

Who? Oh, Mister Graham!(audience laughs)

How are you?

Oh, I'm fine, thank you.

- Graham?

- Tomorrow night?

Heh, no no, I'm not busy then.

- So that's why he askedme all those questions.

(audience laughs)

- Eight o'clock, fine, I'll be ready.

And thank you so much, Mister Graham.

Bye.

What are you grinning about?

- I ah, I just realized that I've never fully appreciated

your, your beauty and your feminine charm until just now.

Come, sister dear.

Let's have a nicebrotherly-sisterly talk.

- Hold it, buster.

If you think justbecause I have one date

with Mister Graham, I can wangleyou a good mark in physics-

- Oh, who said anythingabout wangling?

Have a banana.

- Thanks. (audience chuckles)

- I just wanted to tell you that ol' Graham and I

had a long talk about you today.

- You did, really?

What did you talk about?

And what did he say about me?

- Ah, I ah, I did you a favor, kid.

I got across to him, indirectly,

that you're not engagedor even going steady.

So you see, that's why he called you.

- You think he likes me?

- Well, let's put it like this, he doesn't hate you,

as he does me (audience laughs)

and that's where you can do me a little favor in return.

- What do you mean?

- Well, all you have to do is convince him

what a wonderful, likable brother you have,

and how very fond you are of him.

- Oh, now I don't want deceitful. (audience laughs)

- And what a hardworking, ambitious, studious,

brilliant, bright--

- Hold it, I'm not gonnalie. (audience laughs)

- No, who's lying!

No, so you exaggerate alittle, is that a crime?

- Listen, I'm going to the concert

with Mister Graham to enjoy his company,

not to spread propaganda about a conniving brother.

(audience laughs)

- Oh Claude? Bud.

Man, I must live right,guess what happened.

Graham's gone ape over Betty.

- Your sister?

Wow, is he trapped.

He can't flunk his sweetheart's little brother.

'Cause you know the old saying, blood is thicker than

stupidity! (audience laughs)

- You know it, boy.

Somehow I have the feeling that from now on,

physics is gonna be my good subject.

Well, I gotta get busy and do some studying.

Well I oughta do a little. (audience laughs)

Yeah, yeah, okay, so long. (phone hangs up)

- Get a chance to talk to Graham today, hmm?

- Yeah, and I think things

are gonna work out alright now, dad.

- Well, good.

Oh, thanks.

I knew if you'd just sit down and

talk things out with him,

that you'd come to an understanding.

- Oh, I think he and I are gonna

understand each other real well now. (audience laughs)

(clownishly foreboding music)

- Why are you puling the desk out here?

- So Mister Graham can be sure and see me studying

when he comes to pick up Betty tonight. (audience giggles)

Now do you know what you're supposed to do?

- Yes! I let him in,

and then I point to you in here and say,

"Oh, poor Bud, studying all night long." (audience laughs)

- Well, no, um...

don't point to me, you gotta be more subtle.

Say something like, um...

"Shhh! Don't talk so loud, Mister Graham,

"my brother's in there studying!

"Poor boy, studies day and night!

Hardly sleeps at all!" (audience laughs)

"My folks are afraid he's gonnahave a nervous breakdown!"

(audience laughs)

- Yes, (doorbellrings) but what if Be--

- Hey, that's probably him now.

Now hurry up, get out there, go on.

(papers slam)

- Come in, Mister Graham.

I'm Kathy, I'm Betty's sister.

- Kathy, I'm happy to meet you.

- Shhh! Not so loud! (audience laughs)

What, because you see my poor brother--

- Oh, Mister Graham!

How do you do, I'm Betty's mother.

- Well how do you do, Missus Anderson.

- My poor brother--

- I'm sure Betty'll be down in a minute.

Oh, won't you come in and sit down?

Oh, we've heard so much about you,

both from Betty and Bud.

- Well I feel I know y-- - (Shouting) Speaking of Bud!

The poor boy, he's beenin the other room--

- Oh hello. (audience laughs)

I didn't know you were here yet.

How are you, Douglas?

- Fine. Oh you look beautiful, absolutely atomic.

- Thank you, that's the nuclearreaction I was hoping for.

We won't be late, mom.

- Well, enjoy the concert.

- Very nice to have metyou, Missus Anderson.

- Good night. - And you too, Cathy.

- My brother is having a nervous--

- Excuse me. (audience laughs) - Hi, Bud.

Goodnight, Missus Anderson. - Goodnight, mother.

(audience laughs)

- Oh Bud, I don't see why you say he's difficult to talk to,

I think he's quite charming.

- Oh sure, he's charming to you.

Not to me, hardly even spoke to me.

- Well, he didn't come here to see you.

Just keep studying in there.

That's the only thing that'll ever save you.

- I'm sorry, Bud, I tried.

- Aah, it's okay, kid.

At least he saw me studying.

And things are going to be mighty different

after Betty gets a chance to work on him.

(Bud chuckles, audience laughs)

- What's so funny?

- I was just thinking, Mister Graham

suggested I get my sister to help me.

And brother, that'sexactly what I'm doing.

(audience laughs)

- They were sitting right down in the third row.

- Really? Mister Graham was out with Bud's sister?

- I saw them myself.

I went to this concertwith my folks last night

and there they were, ogling each other all evening.

The whole romance bit. - Ohh.

Hi, Freddie.- Hiya, Freddie.

- Did you hear about Mister Graham and Betty And-

- And Betty Anderson?

Ohoho, it's all over school.

What lucky Bud.

Well his physics grades'll sh**t like a red stone rocket.

- Oh, they sure will.

- Wish I'd get a break like that, gosh.

- Hey Bud, wait a minute.

- Oh hi, Claude.

- How'd Betty's date go last night?

Did she get your campaign started?

- Well ah, she wasn't up when I left this morning,

so I didn't get a chance to talk to her,

but I'm not worried.

Never underestimate the powers of a woman. (audience laughs)

Eh, boy? - Yeah, you know it.

- I just hope he isn't too obvious

in front of the whole classabout swimming over to my team.

- Well, good morning little brother-in-law.

(audience laughs)

Do you think the familytogetherness'll pay off,

little brother-in-l-- (discordant music, audience laughs)

(foreboding music)

(whimsical music)

(dramatic music,audience laughs)

(embarrassed music)

(tense music)

- Jody Adams. - [Jody] Here.

- [Graham] Robin Allison. - [Robin] Here.

- Bud Anderson.

- (Voice breaks) Here? (audience laughs)

(clears throat) Here.

- You realize you're letting me down.

- Now wait, don't jump on me.

After all, I've only had three or four dates with Doug,

and I really haven't had much opportunity to discuss you.

- Well I sure'd love toknow what's going on.

Since you've been going with him,

he's been twice as rough on me.

- Well, Bud.

- Well get busy, do something.

I'm in trouble.

- Look, Bud, I'm doing the best I can,

but I have no right to interfere in his business.

And I certainly don't want him to ever think

I'm going out with himmerely to influence him

into handing youout some favors.

- No, I told ya, I don't want favors.

- Bud, come here a minute.

I been going through your physics notebook, here

and I can't see where you'vebeen getting such a dirty deal.

- Oh no, dad. - Judging from this,

you started out very well.

So you probably figuredyou had it made,

and started to coast.

- Oh no. - Became careless,

and down went your grade.

- No, it's not--- But instead of

blaming yourself, you blamed the teacher.

- No, I wou-- - There's only

one answer to this problem,

and Graham has already given it to you.

Buckle down and work.

Every night, every spare moment.

And pray that it's not too late!

(phone rings)- No, I've been working.

But with a teacher likehim, it's just no use.

Hello?

- [Graham] (tinny) This is Doug Graham, is Betty there?

- (High pitched voice) Just a minute, she'll be right here!

(audience laughs)

It's your loverboy.

Hey look, if you go out with him tonight,

be sure and tell him that it'llbe a blow to you personally

if your brother flunks the course.

- [Jim] Alright, that's enough of that! (audience laughs)

Betty's dates havenothing to do with you.

You get upstairs and hit those books.

- Hello, Doug.

- Now! (audience laughs)

- When, right now?

Sure, I can be ready.

Is something wrong, you sound worried?

Alright, I'll wait'll I see you.

Bye.

- What makes it harder to deal with Bud is

every (leaf snaps) kid in class knows

I'm dating his sister. (trashcan bangs and squeaks)

Boy, I'm finding out ateacher in a small town

sure lives in a fishbowl.

- Doug, are you trying to tell me

you feel we should stop going together?

- No, don't say that, I don't want that to happen.

No, I just felt I had to talk this over with someone.

He's not improving, and I'm gonna have to give him a D.

And I know what that does to his chances for college,

and I feel awful about it.

- Well, since you brought me into this,

and if this isn't ethical to ask just say so,

but... (sighs)

Well, could Bud still get, say, a C in the course?

- Well, sure, if he'd work.

But I mean really work.

Now, my problem is I can't get to him

because he resents me so much.

Well. (Graham scoffs)

Then there's the other thing.

- What other problem?

- Oh, all those...

jibes the kids make about us, and...

my brother-in-law. (laughs humorlessly)

Well, the get under my skin. (chuckles)

And I don't dare go outof my way to help Bud,

'cause right away they'd accuse me of

- I know, showing favoritism.

And all on account of me.

- Now don't say that.

- But it's true, Doug, we both know it.

- Look, just until the semester's over,

we better not see each other.

- No. - Oh, but

this is putting you in such a miserable spot,

and it's actually hurting Bud.

And it'll only be for a few weeks.

- Yeah.

(scoffs) I almost wish you weren't so darn sensible.

I guess one of us has to be.

- Be sure I'm right.

Well, you do what you can for him at school,

and I'll make him work at home.

I'll get a club and b*at him. (audience laughs gently)

- Okay. You slug him one for me. (audience laughs)

Just hope that varmint realizeswhat a great sister he has.

- What? You're not goingout with him anymore?

What're you trying to do,

cut the ground right out from under me? (audience laughs)

- Listen, dopey, I'm making this sacrifice for you.

Can't you get that through your head?

- Sacrifice?

- Now look.

Doug says you can still make it if you really pitch in.

He'll give you every break he can.

Honest.

- Can I really depend on that?

- I guarantee it.

So dig, boy, dig.

- Okay, but this better be the truth,

'cause this is my last hope.

Look, I not only workedall the problems,

but I did all these extra credit ones.

And then I sat up till past one o'clock

in the morning studyingtoday's assignment.

Boy I know it inside out,

rightside up, backwards,- Oh my gosh,

I must've left these problems in my locker.

(bell rings) I better get 'em real fast or--

- Hey, come on you guys, that's the bell.

- Oh.

(students chattering over each other)

- We're going to switch things a bit this morning.

We're not going to take up the assignment for today.

The most important test of the year is coming up.

So we're going to reviewfor it, right now.

Ordinarily, I feel reviewing for tests

is your responsibility.

But this one is soimportant, (door thuds)

I want you all to have every break possible

to get a high grade in it.

So open your books to

Yes? Thank you.

(door thuds)

Uh, this is a request for Bud Anderson

to report to the principal's office.

(mournful, uncertain music)

(paper swishes)

- Hi.

Hey, where you going?

- Aw, that double crosser.

Get this, he knew I had today's lesson perfectly,

so he said "we're not going to take up today's assignments."

- You're kidding.

- And only last night, he promised Betty

that he'd give me every break possible.

- Aw gee, that's too bad. - How could a guy be--

- But I gotta--- Hey, I got it!

They broke up last night, and so now he's sore.

And he's gonna get even, through me.

So now he said we're gonna review the big test.

So that's why he had me sent to the principal's office!

So I'd miss the review for the big test.

How low can a guy be?

(discordant music)

(playful music)

- And we've been going over the records of

any seniors who're in danger of not graduating.

And I'm pretty surprised tosee your name on the list, Bud.

Now what about this physics grade here?

- I uh, I dunno, sir.

- Well, grades of good students

don't suddenly take a nosedive for no reason, Bud.

Do you have any outsideproblems bothering you?

Perhaps at home, or

or girls? (audience giggles)

- No sir.

- Alright then, what is it, Bud?

Do you realize what this means to you?

And that I'm trying to help you?

- Yes, sir.

- Alright, then don't hold anything back.

We have had cases wherethere's some difficulty

between a student and a teacher.

(book thuds) Anything like that?

- Mister Armstead?

Could I drop physics?

- Drop it?

- Well, I... and take it in summer school?

I know I wouldn't graduate with my class, but

why, I can't afford to have that bad mark

against my records for college.

- Hmm.

You must wanna get out of that class quite badly.

- No, no, it's just that...

Well, could I drop it?

- You come back tomorrow and we'll discuss it further.

- Yes, sir, thank you.

(pensive music)

- Miss Lark? I want to see Mister Graham, immediately.

- As a result, he's dropping the course.

- Dropping the course?!

You mean he's quitting?

Why would he do a thing like that?

- Well naturally, I haven't been able

to get much out of him.

But evidently, he was called to the

(doorbell rings) principal's office.

- [Kathy] I'll get it!

Oh hi, Mister Graham.

Betty isn't home yet.

- Well, I didn't come to see her, Kathy.

I came to see your brother.

- Sure, come in.

- (shouting) Bud! Come on down!

Bud! Someone to see you! (audience laughs)

Come in and sit down.

- Now wait a minute, Bud.

You and I have some things to talk about.

- I don't think we have anythingmore to say, Mister Graham.

- Oh yes we do.

We have a great deal.

I asked you to come down.

Would you excuse us, Kathy?

We have some business to take care of.

- Sure.

- Let's go and sit down, Bud.

You weren't the only one who was called

into the principal's office today.

- You?

- Oh, he didn't send me over here.

This is strictly my own idea.

I don't know how farmy responsibility goes,

but I'm not going to letyou drop that course.

In fact, I'm gonna see that you pass it.

Sit down.

Now this is much too important to you.

In fact, to both of us.

If I've been at fault in the way I've handled you,

and that could very well be,

I'm sorry.

But we haven't time now to worry about that either.

Now here is a complete outline

of everything wecovered in class today.

And I'm willing to work with you,

all night if you want me to.

- You'd do that for me?

After I caused you to be called on the carpet today?

- I'm a teacher, Bud.

And if I fail to teach physics to any one capable boy,

that's a mighty big failure.

And if I lose one humanbeing as a friend,

well that's, that's an equally big failure.

I don't wanna be guilty of either one.

Now, about this.

Now I warn you, it's no easy job.

But you can do it.

So what do you say, do we start?

- Say, mom!

Mom!

Will you fix dinner for Mister Graham and me in the den?

We got an all-night job to do.

- Well I certainly will.

And I'll keep you supplied with sandwiches all night.

- Doug, what are you doing here?

- Well, Bud and I were just--

- Hey, I've got a betteridea about dinner.

I need a little time to look over that outline, so

why don't you take Bettyand go out to dinner?

You guys probably have a few things to straighten out.

But listen, don't keep him out too long,

because man, I need him, you understand?

(audience chuckles)

- Well frankly, no, butwhatever's going on, I'm for it.

Come on, let's go.

- I'll be back.

(audience cheers)